Analyst Ratings February 9, 2026

Stifel Raises Flowserve Price Target to $97, Cites Strong Q4 and Longer-Term Targets

Analyst keeps Buy rating as acquisition boosts nuclear exposure and end-market diversification away from oil and gas

By Hana Yamamoto FLS
Stifel Raises Flowserve Price Target to $97, Cites Strong Q4 and Longer-Term Targets
FLS

Stifel has lifted its 12-month price objective on Flowserve Corp. to $97 from $87 and retained a Buy rating after the company's fourth-quarter 2025 results and forward guidance that exceeded consensus. The firm pointed to strong 2030 targets and a recent acquisition that expands Flowserve's presence in the nuclear sector while reducing relative exposure to oil and gas. Market valuation measures and a mixed reception from other analysts underscore the need to weigh growth against current multiple.

Key Points

  • Stifel raised its Flowserve price target to $97 from $87 and maintained a Buy rating after fourth-quarter 2025 results and guidance that exceeded consensus.
  • Flowserve reported adjusted Q4 2025 EPS of $1.11, beating consensus of $0.94 and BofA’s $0.90 estimate, though revenue slightly missed expectations.
  • Stifel highlighted the company’s strong 2030 targets and a recent acquisition that increases nuclear exposure and diversifies away from oil and gas; InvestingPro lists a P/E of 32.37 and an FY2026 EPS forecast of $4.09.

Stifel has increased its price target for Flowserve Corp. (NYSE: FLS) to $97.00 from $87.00 and kept a Buy rating on the industrial flow management supplier. The move follows the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 report and guidance, which Stifel described as "good" with outlooks that "nicely exceeded consensus."

The stock was trading at $85.46 at the time of the note, approaching a 52-week high of $86.29 and having delivered a 7.9% total return over the past week. Stifel’s target raise signals the firm’s positive view on Flowserve’s trajectory based on recent results and strategic developments.

Stifel called attention to Flowserve’s ambitious 2030 targets and to a recent acquisition that increases the company’s exposure to the nuclear market while broadening its end-market mix away from oil and gas. The analyst highlighted that although there is palpable market enthusiasm for nuclear-related opportunities, the investment case for Flowserve should remain grounded in internal operational improvements - specifically simplification using an 80-20 approach.

On that point, Stifel observed that Flowserve "has executed very well over the last 3 years" with its simplification program and is moving its emphasis toward commercial excellence and growth initiatives. The research note emphasized that these internal priorities are central to the firm’s investment thesis rather than external market excitement alone.

Valuation metrics from InvestingPro show Flowserve trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.37, which the note describes as relatively high when compared with the company’s projected earnings growth. Flowserve’s EPS forecast for fiscal 2026 stands at $4.09, a figure included in Stifel’s assessment of the stock’s valuation and upside potential.

Financial health metrics provide additional context. InvestingPro assigns Flowserve a Financial Health score of 3.1, labeled "GREAT," and the company is described as operating with a moderate level of debt. Stifel cited this position as supportive of the company’s ability to pursue its strategic priorities while managing balance-sheet risk.

Flowserve’s published fourth-quarter 2025 results included an adjusted earnings per share of $1.11, which outperformed the consensus estimate of $0.94 and BofA Securities’ $0.90 projection. The firm did record a slight revenue shortfall versus expectations, but overall performance was credited to strategic initiatives and margin improvement.

Following those quarterly results, BofA Securities increased its price target on Flowserve to $90 from $80 while maintaining a Neutral rating. That firm’s action, alongside Stifel’s Buy and higher target, reflects differing analyst views on the balance of valuation, execution, and longer-term opportunity.

Taken together, the recent analyst moves, the company’s reported results, and its stated 2030 ambitions have driven renewed attention on Flowserve. The combination of a higher price target from Stifel, a raised target from BofA, and the company’s financial health assessment frame the current market conversation around execution, end-market diversification and valuation.

Risks

  • Valuation risk: Flowserve trades at a relatively high P/E of 32.37 versus its projected earnings growth, which could limit upside if growth slows - relevant to equity markets and industrials sector.
  • Execution risk: Continued reliance on simplification and the shift to commercial excellence require sustained internal execution; any setbacks could affect margins and growth - relevant to corporate operational performance in industrial manufacturing.
  • Revenue sensitivity: The company’s recent quarter showed a slight revenue miss despite EPS upside, indicating potential volatility in top-line performance that could impact earnings momentum - relevant to industrials and end-market exposure such as energy and nuclear-related demand.

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